This summer sure isn't like the past ones the Summers have known. School work and clinical hours are keeping me on my toes, but we try to make sure that our weeks are sprinkled with fun, a priority in our household. Back at the end of May, I took a class that was sandwiched into two weeks. It was 5 hours a day every week day for two weeks. On top of that, two hours of commuting every day, homework, and an online Biology class I am also taking, we were knee deep in strawberries. That is about all I could do for two weeks: school and pick strawberries. We got about a gallon every day for two weeks. It was insane and forced us to be creative in the culinary department. We had strawberry goat cheese sandwiches, strawberry bread, strawberry and peanut butter sandwiches, smoothies, strawberries on chocolate pound cakes, pancakes with strawberry, strawberry cobbler, strawberries on biscuits...and the list goes on. I am beginning to feel like Bubba and his shrimp. Anyways, I digress. I took that class, plus I am currently still taking an online Biology class, and I began my clinic placement. I am working with two preschool age youngsters this summer and performing some diagnostics two days a week. The experience is eye-opening. It is exciting to get to put a years worth of theory and learnin' into practice!
(This is what it looks like when I do schoolwork and the wheels are turnin'. Wheezy is my Biology muse!)
Other noteworthy events:
-Mother's Day:
We had grilled chicken with spinach pesto, gouda mac and cheese, kale salad, and blackberry cobbler with homemade ice cream. It was a little chilly for yard games, but everyone was feelin' fine.
-Savannah with my mom and brother, Mark. We stayed on Tybee Island and enjoyed beach time, fried seafood, and trips into downtown Savannah! It was a very relaxing trip!
-Father's Day:
We again grilled out. This time we had pork chops, grilled veggies, hash brown casserole, yeast roles, and banana pudding cheesecake. This time we got to enjoy the weather, eat outside, play yard games and watch the chickens! Dinner and a show and the Summers'.
-Our 4th Anniversary: That's right, four big ones! We didn't do anything too big, for we are always celebrating! We ate at Biscuitheads for breakfast and walked around Beaver Lake.
("Flower Anniversary"- Sam picked them from his mom's rose garden)
S'mores! Need I say s'more? The messier, the better!
Surprise cherry tree! There is a cherry tree that began producing cherries this year in our back yard. I was not super excited at first because I was already tired from the strawberries. Sam was begging me for homemade cherry turnovers, so I reluctantly did it. I have to say, it was the best idea he has ever had! They sure weren't pretty, but oh so delicious!
Presently, we are just relaxin' and watching the garden grow and are trying not to turn the air conditioning on yet. We may head to up D.C. for the 4th of July. We also have a pretty big trip planned for the end of summer. The Summers are going European once again! This time, to Ireland! We have been anticipating this one for a while, and we are excited that my younger brother Mark will be joining us! Our adventures will take us to Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Dingle, Galway, and back to Dublin.
(This is Wheezy assuming the position to cozy up to the tile floor, the coolest thing in the house!)
A few notes from Farmer Sam:Well, let's see. I've got a few minutes here. Just coming in from chopping down a locust tree that was blocking the cherry trees from getting enough sun. I feel almost like George Washington, minus the wooden teeth. I don't know about you, but the chickens like to spend the afternoon having a dirt bath. Apparently, it's good for the pores. Might just have to try it. It's hilarious to watch.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "The greatest service which can be rendered to any country is to add an useful plan to its culture." While I have yet to actually "add" a new plant to the world, I have been inspired by Jefferson's words to really cultivate anything I can find. Example one: the cherry trees. Example 2: lots and lots of lady slipper wildflowers found on Kellie's parents rental property. Example 3: lots and lots of wild blueberry bushes also found on the rental property. Example 4: Two Angel Trumpet bushes/trees given to me by the neighbors. Example 5: Lots of asparagus roots also give by the neighbors. Example 6: Adding another row of strawberries. (Because a gallon a day just won't cut it!) Example 7: Rattlesnake orchids found on the rental property. Example 8: Squaw root found on the rental property Example 9: Renegade dogwood trees found on my parents property. and I'll just say the entire garden for Example 10. I dug up a ton of wild blueberries and ladyslippers from the woods behind the rental house Kellie's dad is fixing up. Hope they make it. Right now, they are struggling. I was thrilled to see that two of the blueberry sticks I planted last year actually lived. What's in the garden? Onions, cabbage, lettuce, beets, corn, squash, zucchini, cucumber, tomato, peas, volunteer watermelon, peppers, sunflowers, eggplant, and yes, strawberries, plus other berries (raspberries, loganberries, black currants).
Other tidbits of info from me? Well, I'm hoping to finish carving the bear I started carving last summer. My dad and I are going to start cleaning/fixing up his old 1930's Ford Model A. If you haven't done so already, put these things on your summer to-do list:
1. Watch a chicken take a dirt bath. Hilarious.
2. Read a western by Elmer Kelton (he's about the best western writer out there besides Louis Lamour, of course).
3. Drink apple cider vinegar (with the mother, not your mother) every day. Have we already gone over the miracles of acv? Oh, man. It's awesome.
And here's what not to do this summer:
1. Get pooped on by a chicken. It's happened about 3 times so far. The wife does NOT like to wash those clothes. Here's a picture that really captures the moment:
To really appreciate this picture, note Elphaba's booty in the air. Then note the brown spots behind my left shoulder. Talk about perfect timing on taking this picture. Ok, I'll close for now. Ready to go try one of those mint lemonade popsicles we made today. SEE you next time!
